The protective health benefits of a diet high in fruit and vegetables is no secret, and many of us need to do better at eating more plant foods. Switching out meat for plant-based protein sources can be an easy way to do this, and you don’t need to exclude meat altogether to reap the benefits from plant-based protein sources. So why should you increase the amount of plant-based protein in your diet? Let’s find out.

1. Increased intake of dietary fibre

Plant-based sources have one serious advantage over animal products, and that is protein and fibre in a two-for-one special. Many plant-based sources of protein, such as tofu or lentils, are classified as a serving of protein as well as vegetables, which means they are nutrient dense and nutrient diverse foods. The added fibre is great for promoting digestive health and bowel regularity, as well as supporting the growth of a beneficial community of gut bacteria for optimal gut health. Animal products don’t contain any fibre, so eating more plant-based protein instead can help to meet the recommended daily intake of 30g of fibre.

2. Increased intake of phytonutrients and antioxidants

Plants are our main source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory phytonutrients , such as polyphenols in soy, quinoa, lentils, nuts and seeds, so switching out animal proteins for more plants high in protein often means a greater intake of these health promoting phytonutrients which help to combat inflammation in the body!

3. Lower intake of calories

Diets that are higher in plant-based proteins tend to be higher in dietary fibre and lower in saturated fat, which often means they contain less calories . This makes managing calorie intake and avoiding overeating much more attainable because the combination of protein and fibre still has a filling effect, which means you can feel more satisfied with less calories .

The role of plant based protein powders

Plant-based protein powders are a great way to support a plant-based diet, and have become increasingly important to help the growing number of vegetarian and vegans meet their nutrient requirements and ensure they’re consuming enough of each essential amino acid.

Our plant-based protein powders, Build Up and Tone Up, have used a combination of legumes and seeds to achieve a complete amino acid profile, and help bridge any nutrient gaps created by a busy lifestyle that makes eating a perfectly balanced plant-based diet a little more tricky.

Photo by Monika Grabkowska on Unsplash